Sr Lena Deevy LSA is presented with the inaugural Presidential Distinguished Service Award

The Irish Emigrant would like to thank Sister Lena Deevy, L.S.A. for the tremendous work that she has done for the Irish community in her 24 years at the Irish International Immigrant Center. Since the Center’s inception in 1989, she has worked tirelessly to better the lives of her countrymen and immigrants from across the world.

As Sr. Lena steps down from her Executive Director position, it is amazing to see how the Center has grown with her leadership and vision. She and her colleagues began an amazing journey from a mutual aid society formed in a Dorchester basement to the internationally recognized immigrants’ organization that stands proudly in Downtown Boston today.

Sr. Lena is a great friend and ally of The Irish Emigrant and her support of the publication, from our earliest days, must not go unacknowledged. We would like to extend our gratitude and ask that others, whose lives have been touched by this remarkable individual, do the same.

This Friday, May 3rd, the IIIC is giving the community Sr. Lena has continuously put her heart and soul into helping the chance to say thank you personally. A party will be held at Florian Hall in Dorchester to mark the occasion of her change of role in the organization, from Executive Director to Executive Director Emerita.

Former Assistant Director Ronnie Millar is now leading the IIIC as Executive Director and will also be in attendance. Friends old and new are encouraged to join staff and volunteers of the IIIC in celebrating the impact Sr. Lena has made in Boston’s Irish community, the immigrant community in Massachusetts, and around the world.

The celebration will begin at 6 pm, with a chance for guests to meet and mingle. Appetizers will be served. The band Erin’s Melody will provide music throughout the evening. Irish Tenor Ciaran Nagle will also make a special appearance with Tara Novak and treat the crowd to a short performance.

Tickets for the party can be purchased at www.iiicenter.eventbrite.com or by contacting the IIIC directly. Call Evelyn Brito at 617-542-7654 for more information.

A minimum $25 donation is suggested and anything more is greatly appreciated. All proceeds from the evening will support the center's Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legacy Fund which will enable the center to provide critical immigration legal services.

Please consider attending the event, which promises to be a lot of fun, and showing your appreciation for such a caring and influential figure in the Irish community.